Matt Hanauer
Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
(BLOOMFIELD) - Two Bloomfield brothers are members of a prestigious Purdue University singing group that has a worldwide reputation.
Nick Schneider of the Greene County Daily World reports that Matt and Sean Hanauer, the sons of Keith and Janene Hanauer, are members of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club, an all-male singing ensemble that numbers 55.
Matt graduated in 2009 and Sean is a 2012 graduate.
Founded in 1893, the select singing ensemble has entertained on behalf of Purdue for campus, community, state, national and international events, averaging between 50-60 appearances a year.
Under the direction of William Griffel, the Purdue Varsity Glee Club employs a versatile repertoire including gospel, vocal jazz, swing, contemporary hits, romantic ballads, classical choral selections, barbershop, folk melodies, patriotic standards, familiar opera choruses, country and novelty tunes, and utilizes small groups and soloists to further enhance each show.
The Glee Club is singing at the Indiana Ball of the U.S. Presidential Inauguration in Washington D.C. on Jan. 20.
One tradition of the group is learning every member's name, hometown, college major, his school year and his voice part, said Sean, who is a baritone and an aeronautical engineering technology major.
Both of the brothers started their singing careers in elementary school at Bloomfield - Sean as a third grader and Matt when he was in the fourth grade.
They were members of Joyful Noise, then Cardinal Song and Center Stage as they grew older.
The Glee Club has a special performance arranged at Bloomfield's Guy Glover Memorial Gym at 7 p.m. on April 6.
In May, the Glee Club travels to Europe for a series of concerts in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and France.
On Feb. 8, a show is slated for the Scottish Rite Building in downtown Indianapolis.
The club rehearses five days a week so it takes some time-management skills to balance a demanding college course work schedule, says Matt, a senior environmental science major, who sings second tenor.
The Glee Club, with one or both of the Hanauer brothers as members, has had other notable recent performances on campus during a Garrison Keilor radio show; they've performed at the Super Bowl Village last February in Indiana, and they performed with the Cornell University Glee Club.
Auditions to join the group are required and include singing before the Glee Club and Purduettes directors.
There is also an interview process to ensure that members are able to handle the club and academic course work.
Matt Hanauer
Sean Hanauer
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